Stump Pond to benefit from state grant

November 13, 2011

A pair of bike riders took in the sights and sounds of nature on the bike path in Coventry Tuesday afternoon.

COVENTRY- The Coventry Land Trust has received $325,000 after the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) awarded the state $4.3 million in open space grants.

Director of Planning and Development Paul Sprague explained that the total amount for the 175 acres purchased, adjacent to Stump Pond in the central part of town, was $661,000.

After the grant was awarded however, the Land Trust came up with the remaining $336,000.

He said that the town already owns development rights to 81 acres of that land after being awarded a grant in 2008 and another 68 acres after their own purchase the same year.

Sprague said that the state plans on putting a RIDEM visitorâs center and boat launch near the Trestle Trail Greenway on the now 325 acres of land.

He explained that because the town is not located near a coastline, âour hope is that we can provide opportunities for hiking, bird watching and water activities that can be an attraction for tourists.â